Our Mission

The Mission of the Institute is to provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write in order to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to national defense.

This memoir of James Stavridis' two years in command of the destroyer USS Barry reveals the human side of what it is like to be in charge of a warship—for the first time and in the midst of international crisis. From Haiti to the Balkans to the Arabian Gulf, the Barry was involved in operations throughout the world during his 1993–1995 tour. Drawing on daily journals he kept for the entire period, the author reveals the complex nature of those deployments in a "real time" context and describes life on board the Barry and liberty ashore for sailors and officers alike.

With all the joy, doubt, self-examination, hope, and fear of a first command, he offers an honest examination of his experience from the bridge to help readers grasp the true nature of command at sea. The window he provides into the personal lives of the crew illuminates not only their hard work in a ship that spent more than 70 percent of its time underway, but also the sacrifices of their families ashore. Stavridis credits his able crew for the many awards the Barry wonwhile he was captain, including the Battenberg Cup for top ship in the Atlantic Fleet. Naval aficionados who like seagoing fiction will be attracted to the book, as will those fascinated by life at sea. Officers from all the services, especially surface warfare naval officers aspiring to command, will find these lessons of a first command by one of the Navy's most respected admirals both entertaining and instructive.

Adm. James Stavridis is a 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a native of South Florida. As commander of U.S. Southern Command, he has responsibility for all U.S. military forces in Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea. His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and five awards of the Legion of Merit. He holds a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at TuftsUniversity and is the coauthor of Command at Sea, Watch Officer's Guide, and Division Officer's Guide.

Praise for Destroyer Captain

“The window into the thoughts and feelings of one of the Navy’s most successful officers of the era makes this a captivating read and is one of the most valuable aspects of the book. Every military officer and member of the joint and interagency warfighting team will gain precious insight into what it is really like commanding a U.S. Navy ship and leading sailors.” — Joint Force Quarterly

“Designed to be a good read for anyone fascinated with what life is like behind the doors of the captain’s cabin. Fortunately, Stavridis is a writer who is not only good with the small details of daily life but shares a sense of history and awe of the sea. Simply, he is in love with command at sea, and you feel it throughout the entire book.” — Naval War College Review

“With all the joy, doubt, self-examination, hope, and fear of a first command, Stavridis offers an honest assessment of his experiences from the bridge to help readers grasp the true nature of command at sea. Officers from all the services, especially surface warfare naval officers aspiring to command, will find these lessons of a first command by one of the Navy’s most respected admirals both entertaining and instructive.” — Sea Classics

“Ought to be read by those aspiring to leadership positions at sea (and land) from lead petty officers to future skippers.” — Great Lakes Bulletin

“Destroyer Captain is a quick and enjoyable read. The writing flows like a good conversation with an old friend. This occurs in part because the chapters are short and succinct, enabling the reader to zip through the prose. Particularly valuable are transcripts of Stavridis’ speeches to his crew on Memorial Day and during the Change of Command at the end of his tour…It is recommended for anyone who is interested in or has fond memories of naval service.” — Naval Historical Foundation

"This is a stirring tale of leadership challenge and the responsibility of command. How fitting that Admiral Stavridis' command experience was shaped by the adventures of guiding the USS Barry and her intrepid crew—a ship named for Irish American John Barry, a courageous warrior who led during the formative days of our fledgling republic. The 'good fortune and great heart' Admiral Stavridis ascribes to Barry is manifest in Destroyer Captain as timeless truths about leadership that accrues great benefit to all Americans thanks to those like Admiral Stavridis who defend us."—Sean O'Keefe, Secretary of the Navy, 1992-93

"Jim Stavridis' Destroyer Captain—a REQUIRED read for all who aspire to command at sea and anyone who wants to know what Conrad was really talking about. Stavridis tells you how it was—the ups and downs, the good and the bad—not how somebody thinks you ought to hear it. I loved it!"—Adm. Robert J. Natter, USN (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, 2001-04

"With his insider details about the real worries and triumphs of command, Destroyer Captain is a must read for all naval officers and a fascinating adventure for everyone who loves the U.S. Navy."—Robert N. Macomber, Award-winning author of the Honor Series

"Destroyer Captain is interesting and entertaining and educational to anyone who has a leadership role at sea—or even on land. In an exciting and thoroughly enjoyable way, Admiral Stavridis explains the highs and lows of his first test in running an organization—in this case more than 300 Navy personnel deployed on a major U.S. warship. One can easily see why the qualities he exhibited as commanding officer of USS Barry have earned him his current position as an incredibly well respected four star admiral in charge of the U.S. Southern Command."—Mel M. Immergut, Chairman, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP. New York, New York

Admiral James Stavridis assumed duties as Commander of European Command and as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe in early summer 2009. Stavridis is a 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a native of South Florida.

A Surface Warfare Officer, he commanded the Destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) from 1993-1995, completing UN/NATO deployments to Haiti and Bosnia, and a combat cruise to the Arabian Gulf. Barry won the Battenberg Cup as the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet under his command.

In 1998, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 21 and deployed to the Arabian Gulf, winning the Navy League's John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership.

From 2002-2004, he commanded Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, conducting combat operations in the Arabian Gulf in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

From 2006-2009, he commanded U.S. Southern Command in Miami, focused on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ashore, he has served as a strategic and long range planner on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has also served as the Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

Stavridis earned a PhD and MALD from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in International Relations in 1984, where he won the Gullion Prize as outstanding student. He is also a distinguished graduate of both the National and Naval War Colleges.

He holds various decorations and awards, including two awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Ser
vice Medal and five awards of the Legion of Merit. He is author or co-author of several books on naval ship handling and leadership, including Command at Sea, Destroyer Captain, and Partnership for the Americas about Latin America.

More by this Author

COMMAND AT SEA, 5TH EDITION

Long considered the bible of commanding officers at sea, this classic guide covers virtually every... Read More

DIVISION OFFICER'S GUIDE, 11TH EDITION

Since 1952 this classic handbook has helped young naval officers take charge of their first... Read More

WATCH OFFICER'S GUIDE, Fifteenth Edition

Almost as essential to a successful bridge watch as a helm, this guide has long been a primary... Read More

DESTROYER CAPTAIN

This memoir of James Stavridis' two years in command of the destroyer USS Barry reveals the... Read More

Related Content

Deconstructing War

NEEDED
Fresh thinking for taking on America's newest enemies—those small and deadly forces... Read More

Sailing in Southern Waters: A New Wind

As we like to say in Miami at our headquarters for U.S. Southern Command, there's a new wind... Read More